Precision tool for cabochons and jewelry

ABSTRACT

A high precision manually operated pedestal mounted tool for cutting and polishing cabochons and jewelry is disclosed. The base of the pedestal, including means for effecting vertical adjustment, is secured in proximity to a grinding and/or polishing wheel. A pivotable assembly is secured atop the pedestal to permit movement of the stone or gem toward or away from the grinding wheel. A stone mounting assembly, including a handle extending therefrom, is secured within a pivotable holder by a ball and socket. With the above apparatus, the stone is movable toward and away from the grinding wheel, positionable with respect to the grinding wheel within a predetermined arc of the grinding and pivotable vertically and laterally with respect to the grinding wheel. With the above described degree of freedom of movement, a stone or gem may precisely be ground and polished to any degree of curvature in any direction.

[ 51 Nov. 26, 1974 PRECISION TOOL FOR CABOCHONS AND JEWELRY [76]Inventor: Leo K. Lindzy, 2668 Hogan Ave.,

Mesa, Ariz. 85205 OTHER PUBLICATIONS The Ingram Faceting Machine, IngramLaboratories, Inc.; 2-1963, Griffin, Georgia Primary ExaminerAl LawrenceSmith Assistant Examiner-Marc R. Davidson Attorney, Agent, orFirm-Cahill, Sutton & Thomas 5 7 ABSTRACT A high precision manuallyoperated pedestal mounted tool for cutting and polishing cabochons andjewelry is disclosed. The base of the pedestal, including means foreffecting vertical adjustment, is secured in proximity to a grindingand/or polishing wheel. A pivotable assembly is secured atop thepedestal to permit move ment of the stone or gem toward or away from thegrinding wheel. A stone mounting assembly, including a handle extendingtherefrom, is secured within a pivotable holder by a ball and socket.With the above apparatus, the stone is movable toward and away from thegrinding wheel, positionable with respect to the grinding wheel within apredetermined arc of the grinding and pivotable vertically and laterallywith respect to the grinding wheel. With the above described degree offreedom of movement, a stone or gem may precisely be ground and polishedto any degree of curvature in any direction.

4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PRECISION TOOL FOR CABOCHONS AND JEWELRY Thepresent invention relates to lapidary tools, and, more particularly, totools for forming cabochons and jewelry.

Historically, the lapidary art has been practiced on a personal or acommercial basis. When the lapidary art is practiced essentially forpersonal enjoyment or for limited commercial benefit, the stones andgems are normally hand-held against a grinding and/or polishing wheel.This procedure produces products of a quality in direct relationship tothe skill of the operator. In commercial production, a plurality ofstones are generally fixedly mounted upon a jig and the polishing and/orgrinding wheel is moved about the stones in a predetermined pattern. Thequality of the final product may be excellent but the apparatus is verylimiting, without extensive adjustments and modifications, in the degreeof curvature of the polished surfaces.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide atool for grinding and/or polishing stones and gems, which tool permits awide latitude in the degree of curvature of the resulting cabochons.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a manuallyoperated tool for producing high quality cabochons.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a manuallyoperated tool having a three axis freedom of movement for formingcabochons and jewelry.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a precisiontool for forming cabochons useable with any sized stone or gem.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a precision toolfor cabochons useable with any type of grinding or polishingapparatus.

A yet further object of the present invention is to pro vide an easilyworkable manually operated tool for forming cabochons.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art as the description thereof proceeds.

The present invention may be described with greater specificity andclarity with reference to the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the present invention takenalong lines 2-2, as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the present invention takenalong lines 33, as shown in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown the cabochon forming tool of thepresent invention mounted upon a base 1. The base, shown as a U-shapedchannel for simplicity in attachment to horizontal or vertical surfaces,may take any one of several forms. In the alternative magnets may beattached to the base to secure it to a work surface. A pedestal 2 issecured to base 1 by means of bolts 4, 5 and 13 (see FIG. 2) engagingflanges 3 and 14 extending lateral to the pedestal.

As shown more clearly in FIGS. 1 and 2, a three sided shroud 6 extendsupwardly from the lower part of pedestal 2. A vertically oriented slot 8is disposed within the center part of shroud 6. A channel member 7engages and extends about shroud 6. An aperture 9 is disposed within thebase of the channel member, which aperture is coincidental with slot 8.The channel member 7 is retained adjacent shroud 6 by means of a bolt 10extending through aperture 9 and slot 8 and engaging a washer 12 and nut11. As may be understood by those skilled in the art, channel member 7is vertically positionable by loosening nut 11, sliding the channelmember 7 upwardly or downwardly and retightening the nut 11.

The arms 18 and 19 of a U-shaped member 15 are pivotally secured to theupper part of the sides 48 and 49 forming channel member 7 by means ofnut and bolt combinations 36 and 37. The base of channel member 7 is notcoextensive with the sides of the channel member to permit an extendeddegree of pivotal freedom of U-shaped member 15.

The description of the means for securing holder 22 to U-shaped member15 will be described primarily with reference to FIG. 3. Holder 22includes a pair of laterally disposed downwardly extending flanges 28and 29. These flanges 28 and 29 are apertured to re ceive the bolt ofnut and bolt combinations and 21, respectively. Similarly, arms 18 and19 of U-shaped member 15 are apertured to receive the bolt of nut andbolt combinations 20 and 21, respectively. A spacer 24 is disposedintermediate flange 28 and arm 18. Similarly, a spacer 25 is disposedintermediate flange 29 and arm 19. A washer 26 may be disposedintermediate the head of the bolt and flange 28; similarly, a washer 27may be disposed intermediate the head of the bolt and flange 29. One ofthe purposes of spacers 24 and 25 and the associated washers is that ofproviding a variable degree of friction for pivotally positioning holder22 with respect to U-shaped member 15. The variable friction is effectedby tightening or loosening the nut and bolt combinations 20 and 21. Inthis manner, the degree of force required to pivot holder 22 withrespect to U-shaped member 15 may be varied.

I-Iolder 22 further includes a base 32 having lips 30 and 31 (see FIG.2) extending downwardly therefrom. The combination of the base, lips andthe flanges forms an inverted open ended box. A socket 34 is centrallydisposed within the box. The socket may be a two-piece device split downthe middle to permit insertion of a ball 35. The socket is centrallyretained within holder 22 by means of positioning members 38 and 39secured to flanges 28 and 29 by bolts 46 and 47, respectively. Theamount of friction exerted upon ball 35 by the two element socket 34 isdetermined by the degree of inward bias applied to the positioningmembers 38 and 39 through bolts 46 and 47.

A handle 40 threadedly engages ball 35 and extends generally in adirection away from base 32 of holder 22. A grip 42, shown in thepreferred embodiment as a ball, is secured to the extremity of handle40. A shaft 41 also threadedly engages ball 35 in a diametricallyopposed relationship to handle 40. Shaft 41 extends through aperture 33disposed within base 32, which aperture is generally coincident withball 35. The opposed mating edges of the two element socket 34 are cutaway to per mit pivotal movement of both handle 40 and shaft 41 withinan imaginary cone extending downwardly and upwardly, respectively. fromthe center of ball 35. In a preferred embodiment, the angle defined bythe apex of the opposed imaginary cones is approximately 45. The size ofaperture 33 in base 32 is of sufficient width and breadth so as not toimpede the movement of shaft 41.

The manner of securing a stone, such as stone 45 to shaft 41 may beaccomplished in the following manner. A support 43 is glued, epoxied orotherwise secured to the rear face of stone 45. The opposite end ofsupport 43 may be internally threaded to receive the threaded end ofshaft 41. In the alternative, the end of support 43 may include a splitrecess to receive shaft 41. In the latter case, a clamp 44 is mountedupon support 43 to secure the interior walls of the recess in africtional engagement with the extremity of shaft 41.

The operation of the present invention may be described as follows. Base1 is secured in general radial alignment with the grinding or polishingwheel. The pivot point of stone 45, that is ball 35, is raised orlowered with respect to the grinding wheel by loosening nut 11 to permitupward to downward repositioning of channel member 7. The extent ofupward or downward positioning with respect to horizontal has, to someextent, an effect upon the degree of curvature of the cab ochon to beformed. The pivotal movement of U- shaped member 15 permits the stone 45to be moved toward or away from the grinding wheel. In addition, itpermits manual variation in the amount of pressure applied whilegrinding and polishing. The pivotal movement of holder 22 with respectto U-shaped member 15 permits extended upward or downward movement ofthe stone 45 with respect to the grinding wheel. A slot 17 may bedisposed within the base of U-shaped member 15 to accomodate downwardpivotal movement of shaft 41 and further extend the available pivotalmovement. The somewhat limited movement of ball within socket 34 and thelong handle permits fine and easily controlled pivotal movement of thestone in I both the vertical and horizontal axis. Further, the ball andsocket permits rotation of the stone about an axis defined by shaft 41.Thus, although extensive pivotal movement is only available in thevertical axis, the capability of rotating the stone permits theextensive vertical pivotal movement to be applied along any axis ofstone 45.

From the above discussion, it will become apparent to those skilled inthe art that a constant curvature cabochon can be readily and easilyobtained with the present invention. Or, a varying curvature surface canbe formed upon the cabochon by selective manipulation of handle 40through grip 42. Yet further curvature variations can be effected if thediameter of the grinding and/or polishing wheel is varied. In summary,the present invention permits the forming of cabochons with an extremelyprecise tool.

While the principles of the invention have now been made clear in anillustrative embodiment, there will be immediately obvious to thoseskilled in the art many modifications of structure, arrangement,proportions, the elements, materials, and components, used in thepractice of the invention which are particularly adapted for specificenvironments and operating requirements without departing from thoseprinciples.

I claim:

1. A manually operated tool for selectively maintaining and orientingcabochons and jewelry adjacent grinding and polishing wheels, said toolcomprising in combination:

A. a base for mounting said tool in proximity to the grinding andpolishing wheels;

B. holding means for securing the cabochon or jewelry to a shaft;

C. positioning means disposed intermediate said base and said holdingmeans, said positioning means including:

l. first means for raising and lowering said holding means with respectto said base;

2. second means for moving said holding means toward and away from thegrinding and polishing wheels; and

3. third means for pivoting said holding means about two axes, saidthird means including:

a. an apertured holder;

b. a ball disposed within said holder generally coincident with theaperture of said holder;

0. a socket disposed within said holder, said socket retaining said ballcoincident with the aperture while permitting rotation of said ball;

d. said holding means extending through said socket and being radiallysecured to said ball;

e. said handle being secured to said ball diametrically opposed to saidholding means; whereby, said ball permits manual orientation of saidholding means about two axes; and

f. pivot means for pivoting said holder, said pivot means providingcoarse pivotal movement of said holding means and said ball providingfine pivotal movement of said holding means;

D. a handle secured to said holding means; whereby, the cabochon orjewelry secured to said holding means may be manually oriented adjacentthe grinding or polishing wheels to work the surface of the cabochon orjewelry.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first means issecured to said base, said second means is secured to said first meansand said third means is secured to said second means.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein said first meansincludes a friction lock to vertically position said second means.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein said second means ispivotable with respect to said first means to position said third meanstoward or away from the grinding or polishing wheel.

1. A manually operated tool for selectively maintaining and orientingcabochons and jewelry adjacent grinding and polishing wheels, said toolcomprising in combination: A. a base for mounting said tool in proximityto the grinding and polishing wheels; B. holding means for securing thecabochon or jewelry to a shaft; C. positioning means disposedintermediate said base and said holding means, said positioning meansincluding:
 1. first means for raising and lowering said holding meanswith respect to said base;
 2. second means for moving said holding meanstoward and away from the grinding and polishing wheels; and
 3. thirdmeans for pivoting said holding means about two axes, said third meansincluding: a. an apertured holder; b. a ball disposed within said holdergenerally coincident with the aperture of said holder; c. a socketdisposed within said holder, said socket retaining said ball coincidentwith the aperture while permitting rotation of said ball; d. saidholding means extending through said socket and being radially securedto said ball; e. said handle being secured to said ball diametricallyopposed to said holding means; whereby, said ball permits manualorientation of said holding means about two axes; and f. pivot means forpivoting said holder, said pivot means providing coarse pivotal movementof said holding means and said ball providing fine pivotal movement ofsaid holding means; D. a handle secured to said holding means; whereby,the cabochon or jewelry secured to said holding means may be manuallyoriented adjacent the grinding or polishing wheels to work the surfaceof the cabochon or jewelry.
 2. second means for moving said holdingmeans toward and away from the grinding and polishing wheels; and
 2. Thecombination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first means is securedto said base, said second means is secured to said first means and saidthird means is secured to said second means.
 3. The combination as setforth in claim 2 wherein said first means includes a friction lock tovertically position said second means.
 3. third means for pivoting saidholding means about two axes, said third means including: a. anapertured holder; b. a ball disposed within said holder generallycoincident with the aperture of said holder; c. a socket disposed withinsaid holder, said socket retaining said ball coincident with theaperture while permitting rotation of said ball; d. said holding meansextending through said socket and being radially secured to said ball;e. said handle being secured to said ball diametrically opposed to saidholding means; whereby, said ball permits manual orientation of saidholding means about two axes; and f. pivot means for pivoting saidholder, said pivot means providing coarse pivotal movement of saidholding means and said ball providing fine pivotal movement of saidholding means; D. a handle secured to said holding means; whereby, thecabochon or jewelry secured to said holding means may be manuallyoriented adjacent the grinding or polishing wheels to work the surfaceof the cabochon or jewelry.
 4. The combination as set forth in claim 3wherein said second means is pivotable with respect to said first meansto position said third means toward or away from the grinding orpolishing wheel.